Monthly Member Meeting

6:30 Skills Clinic:
7:00 Business Meeting:
7:30 Guest speaker: Lee Haskin
San Luis Reservoir & O’Neill Forbay Presentation
My presention on the San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forbay, is an orientation of both areas:

• I explain where and why to fish during certain seasons.
• How to fish the limited structure, and various shallow-to-deep areas.
• Special consideration is given to water flows, and how to fish this moving water, and why.
• Given the wind, during the summer months, it is critical to understand where you can fish safely, and effectively.
• I explain where and how to fish during certain times of the year.
• Since my presentation is primarily for float tubers, I explain the access points, and safety, when fishing “the Lake” or “the Forbay.
• I give an explanation of preferred equipment-rods, lines, flies (baitfish), etc.
• I provide a handout with information on lake levels, and current wind reporting.

Lee’s Bio

Lee Haskin began his fishing career in the late fifties, at about 10 years old. He learned to tie flies from his father, and an old Herter’s fly tying manual, and soon was flyfishing, side-by-side with his fly-fishing father, on trout waters throughout the California Sierras. However, in 1967 Lee caught his first striped bass at the mouth of the Pajaro River, just prior to moving to Long Beach to attend college. After settling in to college, Lee discovered the many species of fish that would readily come to the fly. His primary target was the Bonita, found in the San Gabriel River, near the college.

After reading about Bob Edgley blue shark fly fishing in Monterey Bay, in the late 1960's, Lee was focused on catching yet another species on the fly. Many trips out of Capitola, CA yielded numerous blue sharks, as well as rockfish in the kelp beds.

In the early 1970's Lee began to fish San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay, with a primary interest in catching stripers with top water bugs. About that same time Lee and old friend and mentor, Del Brown, (talk about good company!) began fishing the South San Francisco Bay for stripers. Del and Lee fished from Coyote Point to Candlestick Park throughout the 70's & 80”s. However, in the early 1980’s, the San Francisco Bay's incredible striper fishing dropped off, and Del began his world record run for permit. At this time, Lee concentrated his efforts once again on the San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay, targeting the grassy flats, on the O'Neill Forebay, and the islands along Highway 152. Fishing from a float tube, Lee has fished these areas successfully since the 70's.

Although Lee enjoys catching stripers throughout the year on his own flies, specifically Lee’s San Luis Smelt, he is particularly fond of throwing his favorite gurgler patterns along the weed beds of the O’Neill Forebay.

Lee found that his Gurgler Series could fill a niche with top-water loving fly fisherman around the world, and enjoys introducing people to this versatile pattern. A number of Lee’s fly patterns incorporate foam in the design, including the Neutralizer Series, which has become very popular for tarpon, redfish and snook. His commercial fly tying business keeps him busy filling fly orders for folks all over the world. Fortunately, he still has time for travel, from Alaska to Honduras, to the Bahamas. Lee particularly enjoys fishing inshore saltwater locations, for tarpon, permit, snook, bonefish, and redfish. Working with guides and outfitters, in the Yucatan, Belize, and the Bahamas, Lee has developed several successful patterns for each fishery he visits. He also hosts trips to the Yucatan, primarily for baby tarpon

Lee Haskin